What does it taste like?
Salty, savory, and fermented.
Pantry
Soy sauce
간장
Common aliases
soy sauce · soya sauce · korean soy sauce · soup soy sauce
What is Soy sauce?
A practical Korean cooking ingredient used to build balanced flavor and texture in everyday dishes such as rice meals, soups, stews, and banchan.
How is it used?
Season rice, braises, marinades, soups, and dipping sauces.
Where can you buy it?
Regular all-purpose soy sauce suits most recipes.
How should you store it?
Keep sealed in a cool cupboard; refrigerate for longest quality.
Possible substitutes
Tamari works, though saltiness differs.
Recipes using Soy sauce
Rice Dishes
Abalone Rice Porridge(전복죽)
A rich rice porridge simmered with abalone, shrimp, mushrooms, and carrot, finished with pine nuts and served with low-sodium soy sauce.
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Soups & Stews
Beef and Radish Soup(소고기 무국)
A savory Korean-style soup of beef and radish simmered with oyster mushrooms, mung bean sprouts, green onion, and low-sodium soy sauce.
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Soups & Stews
Blue Crab and Clam Stew(꽃게바지락찌개)
A savory seafood stew with blue crab, clams, radish, zucchini, bean sprouts, and a lightly seasoned anchovy-kelp broth.
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Side Dishes
Bok Choy Kimchi(청경채 김치)
Fresh bok choy is lightly salted and coated with a pear, plum extract, chili, garlic, and ginger seasoning.
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Side Dishes
Braised Chicken with Dried Radish Greens(시래기닭조림)
Tender chicken braised with dried radish greens, root vegetables, peppers, and a lightly sweet soy-based seasoning.
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Side Dishes
Braised Pork Ribs with King Oyster Mushrooms(새송이등갈비)
Pork ribs slowly braised in a mild vegetable broth with low-sodium soy sauce, king oyster mushrooms, and vegetables.
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Rice Dishes
Bulgogi Rice Bowl(불고기덮밥)
A savory beef bulgogi rice bowl topped with stir-fried peppers, onion, enoki mushrooms, scallions, egg, and sesame seeds.
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Side Dishes
Burdock with Perilla Seed Dressing(우엉들깨무침)
Tender julienned burdock tossed with green onion, perilla seed powder, garlic, perilla oil, and a small amount of soy sauce.
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Side Dishes
Chilled Butterbur Stems with Perilla Seed(냉머위들깨나물)
Butterbur stems are blanched, seasoned with perilla seed powder, simmered until tender, then chilled for a pleasantly nutty and slightly bitter vegetable side dish.
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